The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 107

_Prince._ That's well, he has told me--Where have I been this long half hour, and more?

Sir _Mer._ Nay, the Lord knows.

_Prince._ I fancy'd I saw a lovely Woman.

Sir _Mer._ Fancy'd--why, so you did, Man, my Lady _Mirtilla Blunder_.

_Prince._ Methought I slept upon her snowy Bosom, and dreamt I was in Heaven, where I claim'd her.

Sir _Mer._ Good lack aday--why, so you did, Sir, ha, ha, ha.

_Prince._ And rav'd on Love; and talk'd abundance of Nonsense.

Sir _Morg._ Ha, ha, ha, by my Troth, and so you did, Sir.

_Prince._ I ask your Pardon, Sir, 'tis an infirmity I have that ever takes me at the approach of a fine Woman, which made me so unwilling to see your Lady.

Sir _Morg._ Lookye, I ask your Pardon heartily, or so, d'ye see--and am sorry you are not in a Condition to visit her often.

_Prince._ I shall be better when I am us'd to her; 'tis the first time only affects me.

Sir _Morg._ Pray, Sir, be pleas'd to use your self to her, or so, d'ye see--she's a civil Person, and a Person of Quality before I marry'd her, d'ye see.

L. _Blun._ My Son tells you Truth, Sir.

_Prince._ Madam, I doubt it not, pray beg her Pardon, and do you give me yours.

[Bows and kisses her Hand and goes out.

L. _Blun._ A most accomplish'd Person--

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. Another Chamber.

Enter _Olivia_ and _Teresia_, in Mens Clothes.

_Oliv._ Well, the Ball does not begin these three Hours, and we'll divert our selves at my Aunt's Ba.s.set-Table, which you see is preparing; her natural Propensity to oblige both s.e.xes makes her keep a Bank on purpose to bring 'em together. There we shall see the old and the young, the ugly and the handsome, Fools that have Money, and Wits that have none; and if the Table affords nothing to please the Appet.i.te, we'll abroad for Forage.

Enter Sir _Merlin_ pulling in _George_, follow'd by Sir _Morgan_, Page and Footmen to _George_.

Sir _Mer._ Nay, Sir, I am resolv'd you shall honour my Aunt's Ba.s.set-Table--

_Geo._ My Aunt's Ba.s.set-Table? There may be Money stirring among these Fools, and Fortune may befriend me.

[Aside.

Sir _Mer._ Sir _Morgan_, pray know this worthy Gentleman, I have the honour to lodge in the House with him.

[They salute one another.

Sir, this is Sir _Morgan Blunder_, a Person of Quality in _Wales_, I a.s.sure you.

_Geo._ I question it not, Sir, and am proud of the Honour of kissing your Hands.

_Ter._ Yonder's a handsom Gentleman.

_Oliv._ My Brother _George_, as I live, 'tis as I cou'd wish.

[Aside.

Enter _Welborn_.

_Wel._ _Lejere!_

_Geo._ _Welborn!_ Welcome from _Paris_, I heard of your arrival from Prince _Frederick_.

_Wel._ Yes, I am come to my Destruction, Friend.

_Geo._ Ay, thou'rt to be marry'd, I hear, to a _Welch_ Fortune.

_Wel._ Though Matrimony be a sufficient Curse, yet that's not the worst--I am fall'n most d.a.m.nably in love, since I arriv'd, with a young Creature I saw in the _Mall_ t'other Night; of Quality she was, I dare swear, by all that was about her; but such a Shape! a Face! a Wit!

a Mind, as in a moment quite subdu'd my Heart: she had another Lady with her, whom (d.o.g.g.i.ng her Coach) I found to be a Neighbour of mine, and Grand-Daughter to the Lady _Youthly_; but who my Conqueror was I never since could learn.

_Oliv._ 'Slife, _Teresia_, yonder's the handsom Fellow that entertain'd us with so much Wit, on _Thursday_ last in the _Mall_.

_Ter._ What, when you chang'd your Breeches for Petticoats at my Lodgings.

_Oliv._ That Night, and ever since, I have felt a sort of a Tendre for him.

_Ter._ As I do for his Friend--Pray Heav'n he be not marry'd! I fear he has laid an Imbargo on my Heart, before it puts out of the Port.

_Geo._ Are you not for the Ba.s.set?

_Wel._ No, I've business at the Ball to night; besides, my Lady _Blunder_ has a Quarrel to me for last Night's Debauch; I'll wait on you in the Morning.

[Exit _Welborn_.

_Geo._ Well, you to your Business, and I to mine.

[Speaks as the rest go out.

Let the dull trading Fool by Business live, Statesmen by Plots; the Courtier cringe to thrive; The Fop of Noise and Wealth be cullied on, And purchase no one Joy by being undone, Whilst I by n.o.bler careless ways advance, Since Love and Fortune are acquir'd by Chance.

[Exeunt Omnes.

_The End of the Second Act._

A Song, sung by Sir _Rowland_ in the second Act.

To _TERESIA_.

_Though the Young prize _Cupid's_ Fire, 'Tis more valu'd by the Old; The Sun's Warmth we now admire, More than when the Season's cold._